Users will get Jelly Bean with Google Now and new notifications panel.

Samsung Galaxy SIII users on Verizon Wireless, good news is headed your way. The handset will receive the long-overdue Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update starting tomorrow. This update includes features such as new camera options, Google Now, and a new notification panel that will enable users to call or e-mail from the pull-down shade rather than navigating to a new application.

The software update will also include enhancements to both the Swype keyboard and Samsung’s S Voice, the manufacturer’s proprietary voice search service. Widgets will be resizable and easier to maneuver, and Google Maps will support “voice typing” to let users search for a location by voice. It’s interesting to note that Verizon is touting the Galaxy SIII’s ability to finally participate in ISIS, the mobile payment service which is currently only available in Austin and Salt Lake City. The service allows users to use their phones for mobile payments, which is very similar to what Google Wallet offers on Android through NFC.

The Jelly Bean update already hit Samsung handsets at a variety of other carriers, including Sprint and users with the international version. It’s still unclear whether the Verizon update will include some of the Galaxy SIII "premium" features Samsung showed off last week. We’ll have more details for you as the update hits our devices.

Florence Ion
Florence was a former Reviews Editor at Ars, with a focus on Android, gadgets, and essential gear. She received a degree in journalism from San Francisco State University and lives in the Bay Area.

The expectation on the timeliness on this update made my decision between the Nexus and S3. It was a bit upsetting Verizon/whoever blocked 4.1 to the Nexus for as long as it took, but still had it a bit before the S3. The worst of it is the vague "soon" "4th quarter" "end of year" that Samsung flip flops on to when the update will come.

And the Samsung UI and enhancements never really appealed to me. Never saw an S2 but never liked the features on the S1. S3 I had the same lack of appeal as the S1.

Have not rooted yet to get 4.2 on my Nexus. Only feature I can tell that would be new is PhotoSphere. 4.2 has more tablet enhancements.

Isn't the point of stock android that it is easier to make it how you want? There are only a few dozen keyboards you can get to replace the stock one with.

I had a hard time finding one that was good in more than one language at a time. I didn't try too hard though, because of the size thing. I ended up with an HTC One S. I’ll probably be waiting a while for Jelly Bean (and I don’t expect anything past 4.1), but I don’t mind. I’m surprised manufacturers bother with updates as much as they do.

*edit* I suppose the benefit to doing so is reputation, which Samsung is doing pretty well with right now.

So, I am not 100% clear on this. Who is actually wrtiting/updating/providing the updates; Verizon, or Samsung?

Samsung writes it, but Verizon tests it before it clears it for release. Every carrier does (for carrier controlled devices, which iPhones and non-Verizon Nexuses are not), but Verizon has a much longer process than most.

I liked my Nexus 7 but I have to agree that the stock keyboard absolutely sucks for multi-lingual usage. I dislike various things on iOS but their multi-language system absolutely rocks in comparison. Google really needs to improve on this, it shouldn't be that hard.

Anyone buying a non-Nexus Android phone needs to give their head a shake.

I'm not sure why anyone who isn't willing to install a custom rom bothers with android at all. If you're into just letting your phone be run by the carrier/manufacturer (and I don't think there's anything wrong with that) why not just get an iphone or windows phone? What else is exciting about android, that the other smartphones don't do, other than the ability to geek out and load your own rom?

Anyone buying a non-Nexus Android phone needs to give their head a shake.

I refuse to buy any keyboardless phone that is under 4.8" end of story. I have moderately large fingers. Not sausage fingers by any stretch of the imagination, but 4.8" and the Galaxy S3 is the happy spot for me typing on a screen. Its FAR from perfect. And in point of fact it drops my words per minute down dramatically, but since OEM's refuse to put out a true successor to the high end Epic 4G. Its what I have to deal with. There is also the fact that if memory serves the nexus phones do not have memory expansion. That is a complete deal killer as well. I would love to go Nexus. But in order of priority feature its at minimum 3rd on my list.

Anyone buying a non-Nexus Android phone needs to give their head a shake.

I refuse to buy any keyboardless phone that is under 4.8" end of story. I have moderately large fingers. Not sausage fingers by any stretch of the imagination, but 4.8" and the Galaxy S3 is the happy spot for me typing on a screen. (...)

I know you stated other, understandable reasons for not wanting a Nexus, but this one's odd. 4.8" is the happy spot, but 4.7" is too small, end of story?

Anyone buying a non-Nexus Android phone needs to give their head a shake.

I refuse to buy any keyboardless phone that is under 4.8" end of story. I have moderately large fingers. Not sausage fingers by any stretch of the imagination, but 4.8" and the Galaxy S3 is the happy spot for me typing on a screen. (...)

I know you stated other, understandable reasons for not wanting a Nexus, but this one's odd. 4.8" is the happy spot, but 4.7" is too small, end of story?

Is this a newer model? I though the Nexus's max size was 4.5 or something?

I guess if you exclude the on-screen buttons, 4.5" might be right... no one ever counts them that way though. Including those buttons, the previous and current models (Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 4, respectively) have 4.7" screens.

Anyone buying a non-Nexus Android phone needs to give their head a shake.

Yes... and no.

Features. Size, weight, battery, screen, etc, matter to many people. Some like physical keyboards. There's not one "Nexus To Rule Them All".

Note, I have the Galaxy Nexus, but my wife has the Droid Charge. She's happy with it (she's an elementary school teacher, not a techie). I bought "her" the Nexus 7, and she got upset when I installed the update a week or so ago - her attitude was "it's mine. Shouldn't you ask me if I want it changed?"

So, her phone is on SenseUI & Gingerbread (2.3). She does not care - it does all she wants it to do, and probably would NOT like it to ever change. She only uses the tablet for books (night).

Thus, while many of us proud geeks, nerds & fans emotionally argue with each other here on Ars... to many people, they simply don't care. My wife can't understand why I wish there was a Cyanogen 4.x version for her phone, but is glad - because I'd want to update it... and honestly have no valid argument to her "so, I don't want or need it, don't touch my phone"

I'm not sure why anyone who isn't willing to install a custom rom bothers with android at all. If you're into just letting your phone be run by the carrier/manufacturer (and I don't think there's anything wrong with that) why not just get an iphone or windows phone? What else is exciting about android, that the other smartphones don't do, other than the ability to geek out and load your own rom?

You really shouldn't be getting downvoted for a legitimate question.

That said, one appeal is for those of us who like the tight integration with Google's services. I really prefer Gmail to Apple's Mail application on iOS. And the iOS Gmail app is really... lacking.

Does this mean that the Jelly Bean update for the Droid RAZR MAXX (not the HD version) will be coming soon? I'd move to CyanogenMod 10, but the camera doesn't work on it yet, which is why I haven't updated to it.

...Now all I'm going to do this afternoon is the "Check New" button in the Software Update screen. My boss is going to be... Oh wait! "New Software Update from Verizon Wireless!" I'll keep you all informed when it's done.

I know a fair number of you are going to think I'm insane, but does anyone know of ROMs with a theme similar to Touchwiz? I actually *like* the new nature-based Touchwiz (which is odd, since I hate nature in real life), and it's the only thing that's held me back from flashing my new S3 to CM10 like I've done with my other Android devices.